Not restricted to the confines of a stadium for the primary time in its historical past, the opening ceremony was witnessed by many greater than the conventional hundreds. Those that weren’t fortunate to get tickets watched the spectacle on 80 large screens as strategically positioned audio system allowed the Parisians to benefit from the magical ambiance.
In an unprecedented transfer, all three Paris airports had been closed as no-fly zone was imposed – from 6 pm to midnight – throughout northern France in the course of the ceremony.
The assault by arsonists on highspeed French railways, main to fireside on 5 strains, did trigger some panic and led to a way of apprehension, Nonetheless, the spirit of celebration quickly took over. The preparade present began at 4 pm at St Denis, which would be the venue for athletics. Rain took centre stage for some time as media individuals and spectators scrambled to search for shelter. These with umbrellas stayed put. It was merely a distraction.
On the Trocadero, the makeshift stands slowly crammed out and a festive fervour gripped everybody there as a part of the history-making event. The river parade began at 7.30 pm and adopted the course of the Seine, from east to west over 6 km. The riverside was filled with spectators all through this stretch.
It began from the Austerlitz bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes and made its manner across the two islands within the centre of the town (the Île Saint Louis and the Île de la Cité) earlier than passing beneath a number of bridges and gateways.
Greece, the hosts of the primary Olympic Video games, began it off adopted by the refugee staff beneath Worldwide Olympic Committee’s (IOC) flag.
Athletes on board the parade boats waved on the followers within the riverside stands and the performers on the bridges. They obtained a glimpse of among the official Video games venues alongside the way in which earlier than the parade got here to its finale proper in entrance of a gloriously lit Eiffel Tower.
The Olympic flame was lit quickly after that. The Video games had formally begun. The opening ceremony was orchestrated by well-known stage director Thomas Jolly, who invited a stellar forged of native and worldwide stars to rejoice the wealthy historical past and variety of French musical tradition.
There have been some very large names within the lineup. Aya Nakamura, France’s most listened-to singer, carried out a Charles Aznavour basic, accompanied by the Republican Guard. Queen of ballads Céline Dion carried out a track by Édith Piaf. American pop sensation Girl Gaga additionally graced the stage.
Music flowed on a wet Paris afternoon and the world throughout totally different time-zones stopped to rejoice a spectacle that it had been eagerly ready for.
